By DIANE GASPER-O'BRIEN

dobrien@dailynews.net

Each year, the Ellis County 4-H Scholarship and Development Fund helps local and area students who plan to continue their education after high school by awarding scholarships to graduating seniors.

Applicants must have been actively involved in 4-H leadership and citizenship during their 4-H careers.

Donna Maskus, a member of the scholarship committee, said each year seniors are encouraged to go through the application process. An out-of-state selection committee then chooses the winners based on information on the applications.

"We try to support our youth as they go into the next chapter of their life," said Maskus, long-time 4-H leader in Ellis County who also is a Master 4-H Volunteer.

"We look at the money we have available and make a decision on how much we can give out that particular year," added Maskus, who said some of the primary fundraisers for scholarships is the sale of cookbooks and "911" address signs for country residences to help emergency personnel find locations on 911 calls.

This year's scholarships ranged from $250 to $500 for a total of $2,250.

Through the years, more than $17,000 has gone to Ellis County 4-H'ers to help continue their education.

Following is a list of this year's winners with a information on their 4-H careers and future plans:

* Gretchen Dietz, Hays High School, Shooting Sports Club (eight years). Plans to attend Butler County Community College, El Dorado. Major: medical diagnostic imaging.

* Kasandra Huser, Victoria High School, Victoria Vikings Club (13 years). Fort Hays State University. Major: biology.

* Jordan Lang, Ellis High School, Ellis Sunflowers Club (12 years). Wichita State University. Major: nursing.

* Amanda Montgomery, Hays High, Buckeye Junior Farmers Club (10 years). Colby Community College. Major: nursing.

* Ashley Montgomery, Hays High, Buckeye Junior Farmers Club (10 years). Fort Hays State University. Major: agronomy.

* Cory Pitts, Hays High, Shooting Sports Club (eight years). Central Christian College, McPherson. Major: pre-engineering.

Area students to leadership camp

Seven area high school students will be joining teenagers from three other states at the Cooperative Youth Leadership Camp next month in Steamboat Springs, Colo.

They were selected through a competition by their local electric cooperative, judged on academic achievements and participation in school and civic activities, as well as leadership skills.

Included in the activities during the week-long camp will be establishing a cooperative based on the product of candy. Students will have daily membership meetings, market their product and learn how to handle profit margins.

Two students, Jared Stieben and Chase Rein from Bazine, will represent Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, while five other electric cooperatives from the area will have one representative each: Samuel Field, Almena, Prairie Land Electric; Colton McNinch, Arnold, Western Cooperative Electric; Jake Romey, Norton, Prairie Land Electric; Dal Schultz, Grainfield, Western Cooperative Electric; and Alexis Wingerson, Smith Center, Rolling Hills Electric.